What is Post-Traumatic Pain?
Physical trauma is considered to be any severe injury to the body. After receiving a traumatic injury, people often report feeling lingering pain for days, months, even years after the initial injury has healed. This condition is what we deem post-traumatic pain. Pain can be categorized as nociceptive or neuropathic and can be caused by two main types of physical trauma; blunt force or penetrating trauma.
Post-Traumatic Pain Symptoms
While discomfort is expected after experiencing a traumatic injury, pain symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary significantly depending on the kind of impact and damage location. The most commonly reported symptoms are swelling, hypersensitivity, redness, sharp pains. Other symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Skin color changes
- Skin temperature changes
- Sharp, burning pains
- Decreased mobility
- Muscle weakness
- Temperature sensitivity
- Joint pain & stiffness
Causes of Post-Traumatic Pain
Post-traumatic pain occurs as the result of a traumatic injury. The leading cause of this form of pain is nerve damage, which prevails even after the physical damage has been fully healed. It is essential to highlight that a severe injury is not necessary to create nerve damage. Small, seemingly mild injuries are enough to cause discomfort, as even swelling can put pressure on the nerves. Other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can also cause post-traumatic pain.
Request AppointmentPost-Traumatic Pain Diagnosis & Treatment
While there is no one test that can conclusively diagnose post-traumatic pain, the combination of various tests and examinations can provide useful insight into the source of the problem. During your visit, a physician will perform a physical examination, consider your symptoms, and thoroughly analyse your medical and family history. In addition, they may order other tests such as blood work, MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays. Some treatment options include:
- Over-the-counter medications
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Nerve blockers
- Epidural steroid injection
Treatment options for post-traumatic pain may vary depending on the pain’s location and severity. It is important to remember that treatments are most effective when they are started promptly after symptoms begin. If you are currently suffering from post-traumatic pain, we encourage you to reach out to our team of expert pain management specialists.
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